General director Joel Revzen told the Republic that revenue from ticket sales is $500,000 less than it was at this point a year ago.

"Our patrons were resistant to going to three different venues for this season," he said. "So we went to the city for the first time in our history for assistance."

Phoenix has already granted Arizona Opera $269,000. The city council will decide today whether to give the company another $250,000. If the allotment is approved, the company will be required to raise $500,000 in matching funds.